New Take-out Twist

Gourmet Express at Kahala Mall offers a new twist to take-out. Beginning this month, Gourmet Express offers "curbside service" to customers who call or fax in orders. Patrons of the restaurant can pull up in front of the mall entrance next to Star Market and a Gourmet Express employee will be waiting there with their orders. The restaurant is open from 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. Information, 732-7700.

Easy listening: Diners at L'Uraku restaurant will enjoy the sounds of guitarist Denny Tanaka as they enjoy Euro-Japanese cuisine, 9-11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Free parking, Uraku Tower garage. Information, 955-0552.

Lyon Arboretum: Sheraton Moana Surfrider's Executive Chef Daniel Delbrel will create an artichoke and summer vegetable with potato gnocchi, baked salmon with horseradish and tomato basil sauce, and napoleon of creme brulee, 9:30-11:45 a.m. Saturday, upstairs classroom. Limited enrollment. Cost: $22. Register, 988-3177 or 988-7378.

Freebie: Oscar Mayer has a new brochure titled "Fillin' Up On Fun - A Guide to Kids and Hot Dogs." The brochure features Dr. Susan Jay, commonly-asked questions about kids' eating habits and hot dog recipes and topping ideas. To get your copy, send a post card with your name and address to: Guide to Kids and Hot Dogs, P.O. Box 490738, El Paso, Texas 88549-0738; call (888) 483-8346; or visit Web site http://www.oscar-mayer.com.

CONTESTS

Oat creations: Quaker Oats wants recipes of cookies, muffins/breads, "Kid Creations" and snack mixes for their eighth annual recipe contest. To be eligible, contestants must be U.S. residents at least 18 years old.

Judging will be on taste (40 percent), convenience (25 percent), appearance (20 percent) and creativity (15 percent).

One hundred twenty-one prizes will be awarded. Grand price is $12,000.

Send entries to: Quaker Oatmeal Recipe Contest, P.O. Box 530, Barrington, Ill., 60011 or email to OatContest@aol.com. Entrants can enter more than once but only one winner will be allowed per household.

Mailed entries must be postmarked by Oct. 31 and received no later than Nov. 5. E-mailed entries must be received by midnight Oct. 31.

To receive a copy of the rules and the recipe requirements, call (800) FOR-OATS (367-6287), send a request via email, access Web site http://www.quakeroatmeal.com, or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Quaker Contest Rules, P.O. Box 1370, Barrington, Ill., 60011.